THIRTY-TWO of the best skittlers from the Swan Studley League contested the first round of the league’s 2015 singles knockout competition and there will be a new name on the trophy as all the champions from previous years were eliminated.

Three times winner, including for the last two years, Alan Cummings (Alcester Nomads) went down 43-37 to John Bool (Engineers).

In a close game, Bool scored a stack of 13 to finally see off Cummings.

Mac Eaton (Alcester Nomads) defeated 2011 winner Glyn Morley (Lodge Farmers) in another close game and it took a good last leg score from Eaton to take the game 35-31.

Mick Stanton (Jumbo Jet Set), who was 2006 champion, couldn’t maintain his early advantage against John Hedges (Chris and Gerry Show) who bowled well to win 32-28.

Angela Guest (Chris and Gerry Show) won each of the first four legs and finally left opponent Rob Baker to score an unlikely 15 in his fifth and last leg to win.

Baker though had other ideas, scored 15 and won the game 38-37.

Only a single pin finally separated Gail Stringer (Team BG) and Pete Sollis (Alley Cats) in the closest game of the round as the latter won 34-33.

Experienced triumphed as father Arthur Sears saw off son Chris 38-36.

Ray Cartwright (Team BG) beat Tony O’Connor 36-33 while Dave Maule (Swan) comfortably won the first leg against Bob Browning (Alcester Nomads) only for Browning to whittle the advantage away over the remaining four legs and win the game 36-32.

Alan Spreckley (Alcester Nomads) also came from behind to beat Len Quartly (Jumbo Jet Set), while Bob Haycock (Swan) beat Alan Rumble (Lodge Farmers).